The single white rose captured the old gardener's attention,
He lovingly cared for it, like it was his own grand-daughter,
The roses were just like family and friends in his eyes,
He gave them bright sunshine, and plenty of fresh water.
He had always planted roses in reds, yellows, and pinks,
Yet, it was the one white rose that he favored most,
The old gardener admired it's innocence and elegance,
A quality that the other roses just could not boast.
This precious rose was pure white, like new fallen snow,
Which only a cold, late November day could bring,
It's delicate petals were soft to the finger's touch,
Similar to that of a feather, in an angel's wing.
The old gardener was perplexed and astonished,
Only this rose bloomed through spring, summer, and fall,
Each of the other roses had withered months ago,
The frost and cold weather did not affect it at all.
With a smile, the old gardener took one last look,
Unknowingly, death would soon come without warning,
After he had settled down for a nap in his chair,
He drew his last breath, later on that morning.
His funeral was held on the very next day,
Loving words were spoken, as he was laid to rest,
His grand-daughter approached, with tears in her eyes,
As she placed the single white rose upon his chest.
The cemetery was a quiet and peaceful place,
Where family and friends gathered to remember,
A gentle snow began to fall upon the casket lid,
Brightening the gloom on this final day of November.
The old gardener's soul departed from this earth,
Lead away by a choir of angels, on delicate wings,
Then on through the pearly gates of heaven's garden,
Where the white rose still blooms, in eternal springs.
November 25th, 2013

The October sky is crying,
Pelting the ground with tears.
Remembering the days of yore,
Of when…you was happily here.
The October winds are lonely,
They can no longer caress your face.
They grope and moan across the prairie,
Yearning…your warm embrace.
When you left us that August,
Your departure was too stout.
You used to flood us with presence,
But now there is a drought.
As the sky keeps on turning,
I miss you more each day.
As my heart keeps on beating,
I dedicate to you…my everyday.
You will always be the neighbor,
That never turned an eye.
And I will never forget the day,
You entered that Autumn sky.
And when I dream of you,
My soul seems to turn and toss.
For in my heart…will always play,
The ballad of your loss.

The peaceful gushing of those waves closing in
Was once enough to aid my sleep.
But since you left, it reminds me so
And the sound now makes me weep.
More than oceans apart, but forever joined
By those summer nights by the sea.
On the island of Emeralds I lay in your arms
You kissed and whispered to me:
‘All of my life, I want it with you,
you make everything so much lighter.
I’ve not much to give except for my love
and a promise to make your world brighter.’
Can you still keep that promise now that you’ve gone?
It sure doesn’t seem that way.
I care not about what I’m feeling inside
But how the world lost a good soul that day.
You gave so much more than was asked of you
And not once did you wince from your pain.
The worst day of my life started my strife
You were there and you weren’t; you were lain.
And now all I have are memories
How I wish that they were enough.
They’re stark reminders of your absence
And without you life will be tough.
To live or not to live;
That is now my every question.
And if I’m lost will you seek me out
And take me with you to heaven?

They said you needed surgery.
You said 'There's business I must do.'
I drove you to the funeral home.
The arrangements were for you.
I had to wait outside that day.
I couldn't go in there.
I don't know how you made those plans.
You showed how much you cared.
You knew you wouldn't make it.
You feared the end was near.
I hate what your life did to you.
I wish you were still here.
How do you plan your funeral?
Were you as scared as I?
What were your thoughts heading to the docs?
Did you know that you would die?
If I could turn back time and say
the things I'd like to say,
I'd say 'I love you' and 'I'll miss you.'
'I wish that you could stay! '

They say that time heals all
Yet there never seems enough
To say the words, to give your love
A mother always dies too soon
You try to make it linger
As her age increases yearly
You pray that God will spare her
Because you love her dearly
But when the days get tedious
She’s sick, alone and weary
You pray that God may take her
Because you love her dearly
Mother, we will miss you,
Your love, your care and support
You have given us your all
And triumphantly defied life’s challenges
You were so busy caring for others
That you forgot about yourself
In honour and in gratefulness, we say
Sweet mother, dearest oma*, may you rest in peace
Rest peacefully now your time has come
May angels guide your way
The time has come...yet 'tis oh so hard
To see you on your way
*Oma is dutch for Grandmother

Stepping on shuttered dreams
Feet bleeding wishes of travel
Disable soul mails postcards
To a corner called " Empty Apartment"
Still nature on the thirteenth floor
Mom's glasses left behind and a cup full of tears
A phone ringing obsessively
The door permanently unlocked…
Jetlag freezes childhood memories
Dirt squishes mortality between my toes
Ravens on cracked limbs distract me
A shovel full releases a white cloud
I jump on ready made steps in snow
Hungry children of the graves follow me
I stop, they stop, I feel, they feel - so lonely
Playing the game of “Orphaned Roulette”...
for Matt's Contest "Empty Apartment"

I'm nearing a store.
Has it something for me?
No; I'm nearing the next.
Hoping there's something to see.
I'm nearing a store.
For something that's new.
Fearing the worst.
Hoping for few.
I'm nearing a store
for something I need.
Only to eat.
Hoping to feed.
I'm nearing a store.
Have I been here before?
Bored again and again.
Hoping that time will soar.
I'm nearing a store.
long after I'm dead.
Placed in a coffin my size.
Hoping I'm free and fled.

Not dark here nor bright, feel so light
No body, no mass I feel infinite
I wonder aloud ‘Is this what they call Death’
Search around, can’t find a glimpse of Earth
No worries, no scares, find myself in bliss
What next, where next, find something amiss
Where is God, where am I, can’t see any
Recall my pains and joys, how can I think!
Feel my fingers, I blink, I find myself in bed
People around with wreaths, I am declared dead
Moments ago, the world wrote my Epitaph
Kicking alive, I rise, its my time to laugh

Emerging from the downtown hardware store
I saw a strange funeral procession
Two black limo hearses were at the front
Then walked a man without expression
The man had a shaggy dog on a leash
A long string of people followed him
All of these people were in single file
That’s why I addressed the man on a whim
“Forgive me for asking; I’m curious”
“What type funeral procession is this”?
My wife’s in the lead hearse; my dog killed her
When she Bi*ched at me, he just went amiss
But I see there are two hearses up front
Alas, my mother-in-law was killed too
When she tried to help my wife, he killed her
Once my dog got mad, I knew they were through
I thought for a minute; then spoke real low
“I have a strange request, if you don’t mind”
“Is there a chance I could borrow your dog”?
Well sure, but you have to go get in line

Trying to make sense of senseless murders...
among the flock there seem to be
a few without remorse
they want their name for all to see
no matter what the course
so silently they await the day
they've planned down to the minute
misfortune soon has it's way
with the poor souls caught up in it
and families left to grieve alone
while a killer still remains
with empty eyes and face of stone
he most certainly is insane
but deep within his twisted mind
lies coherence with evil purpose
psychopaths aren't well-defined
yet another will surely surface

If you've come to my funeral
I'm probably dead.
If you've come to it early
then it's you here instead.
All the times that we shared
such as joy and a laugh.
Was it just that you knew me
or a moment of gaffe.
How I loved you in friendship
with your wit and remarks.
When you spoke and were sure
of your mind and your larks.
You were honorably acting
in touch with yourself.
Your integrity towering
in spite of itself.
What a day to be with you
as alive or as dead.
in a time come together
saying all has been said.

I see you've come to pay respect.
I wondered if you'd come.
Your bright blue hat looks vibrant on.
All glowing, if not some.
The pastor puts a funeral on
as busy as it gets.
It's just like you to listen on
as any girl frets.
I watched you by the coffin some
and spread a lovely scent.
I wondered what you thought of death
and how your days were spent.
The organ played a charming tune
to calm you down a bit.
It couldn't be a better choice
than have my nerves as fit.
You prayed upon your knees I saw,
for what was rather long.
You always knew just what to say
to keep the going strong.
I'd hoped we'd meet again someday.
Perhaps a place less drab.
I've always held a place for you
for just this little gab.
I've waited for this time to come.
My manners all but shoddy.
I'd hoped that we'd again be one
despite my deathly body.

I'd been living for years with dysfunctional peeps
It was when, and not if, I would murder the creeps
They completely deserved it, you'd better believe
And their deaths were not hardly an item to grieve.
I decided to kill them in different ways
And I proved to myself, see, that crime really pays
I was never found out, as the years rolled on by
It was luck, and rehearsing a heartbreaking cry.
I took special delight in the irony there
That so many were fooled by emotions laid bare
It became habit-forming, and made me so proud
Turning cretins to corpses, then mourning out loud.
The dumb cops were so clueless that I felt their shame
They admitted they hadn't a culprit to blame.
But this isn't a novel in which a gumshoe
Puts the pieces together in fingering you.
So I'll bid you Adieu, Adios, and all that
And return to my Soaps as I slowly grow fat
On the funds which I pilfered by changing their wills
(Yes, I sleep well at night, I just take a few pills.)

Sasquatch; please don't follow me.
Turn away; and go.
Take your shaggy hair away.
You frighten me: you know.
Please don't growl about me,
stalking me so far.
Try to keep your distance.
I have no wish to spar.
Where have you come from?
Far; from in the bush?
Hiding from us humans:
eating swamp-like mush.
What has brought you out here
circling me from far?
Have I ticked you off,
or where your nestings are?
Here I come to shoot you.
I'll fill you full of lead.
And if it means I kill you
you'll be the proof as dead.
Wake-up sleepy Sasquatch.
I didn't mean to shoot.
I'm sorry that I shot you
and filled you full of soot.
Only now; we know you're real.
Your body final proof.
And when they stuff and mount you
we'll growl at you and woof!
Wake-up sleepy Sasquatch.
Why won't you speak as proof?
Don't make us tease and taunt you.
It's not the same to spoof.

The Binger streets are empty,
The Mayor’s mansion sits alone.
When God remembered Thy son,
He summoned Big H home.
His giving heart stopped beating,
Within an April day.
His memories continue on,
For hmmm...is what he’d say.
For the spirit of his giving,
Was the community’s best ally.
Then God requested his council,
For the meetings in the sky.
The golden life he lived,
Was eulogized by the reverend.
God promoted his giving soul,
To be the Mayor of Heaven.
______________________________
In memory of Howard 'Big H' Taylor
for his giving heart and warm friendship
to the community of Binger Ok.

The Funeral
His funeral was today;
That elder man of mans;
He had done everything
The world demands.
There was a mixed crowd
Of ages and worth;
The preacher spoke long;
With anecdotes and mirth.
Lifeless he lay, taking it all in,
Strains of Amazing Grace;
Never wore many formal suits;
Is that a grin on his face?
After all was said and done;
His kudos listed ad infinitem;
Tears were dropped along the pews,
But folks pretty well forgot em.
He was president of this;
On the board of that;
Loved his grandchildren;
But after all of that,
This beloved soul had written;
His own epitaph;
His tombstone would read;
“He knew how to laugh!”

For those of you who hope to die.
Those who would be dead.
Those who seek the afterlife
yet scoff at daily bread.
I understand explicitly;
that you should live for worse.
That you know lifes uncertainties
and life's to be a curse.
In hopes of having everything
to pray and pray for death.
I wish you only happiness
to stop and take your breath.

He couldn't win for losing
He couldn't take anymore
Life was not amusing
It was only a chore
His mind was a mess
He only felt pain
Dull at it's best
He was going insane
He reached into his drawer and took out his gun
With no hesitation held it to his head
He pulled the trigger and it was done
You wonder what you could have said

WHATEVER YOU WANT THIS TO BE ENTITLED
Golden curls are found where diamonds sleep
Glittering golden curls be the lady’s crown
She knows the seraphim and the secrets they keep
And now she can create a smile from a frown
A twinkle follows wherever she may tread
And yes, her hair will forever glow
Because of her everything in the world should be painted red
And she requires no rainbow ribbons nor bow
She should have been born of royalty or a queen
I cannot find the loom on which her locks were spun
Helping humanity is her baby she coddles with care
Protecting all from rain, heat and a blazing sun
This is a princess with flesh so fair
And as to competitors the lady has none
No god could replicate the exact color of her hair
And she’s lucky to have it, but her husband is the truly lucky one!
(C) 2011 ~free cee!~ Phreepoetry

A thousand vents for blowing grease
the burger bleeds and trickles.
The stove tops way of frying meat
to sell their grease and pickles.
A greasy slab to clot your blood.
The hamburger's inflection.
A special sauce to fatten up
the liver from protection.
A heart attack to fear aloud
you come to feel the hurt.
Your senses blind to feeling pain
your swearing has to blurt.
A paramedic standing by
with paddles out to shock.
The ventilator turned on low
in case you start to gawk.
A hospital for calculating
service for your wealth.
but don't forget the morgue is there
and that could mean your health.